[Factors contributing to frailty in institutionalized older adults: a multi-institutional cross-sectional study].

AIM: To reveal the characteristics and the oral function of institutionalized frail older adults and the factors contributing to frailty. METHODS: This multicenter, cross-sectional study included 214 patients. A questionnaire was administered to registered dietitians from these institutions. Sex, age, height, weight, grip strength, calf circumference, level of care need, FRAIL-NH, MNA® -SF, dysphagia, food form and water thickening, number of medications, major diseases, comorbidities, independence in daily living of older people with dementia, use of medication with dry mouth, nutritional care issues (malnutrition-related problems) by multiple occupations in Nutrition and Eating Swallowing Screening, Assessment and Monitoring, and nine oral-related items were evaluated. RESULTS: One hundred six patients (49.5%) were classified as frail, 75% of the patients were women, and the mean BMI was 19.7 kg/m2. Older adults with frailty were characterized by high care needs, malnutrition, multiple comorbidities, multiple medications, eating and swallowing disorders, the requirement of feeding assistance, and the need to adjust the shape of meals and fluids. The multivariable OR (95%CI) for "choking and residue problems" was 1.81 (1.20-2.73), while that for "dietary concentration problems" was 4.28 (2.10-8.74). CONCLUSION: Caregivers must maintain posture and provide meal assistance. Professionals in various occupations must adjust the proper food form and medication content. Meal times must be examined in consideration of the times at which drugs will be most effective. Oral care must be provided, and an environment must be created to help the subject concentrate. Focusing on problems of choking, residue, and concentration on meals is expected to improve frailty, aspiration pneumonia, and the prognosis of institutionalized older adults.

Clinical Features of Hypoxemia Due to Infection Under Home-Based Medication During the COVID-19 Pandemic Period.

BACKGROUND: Despite the growing demand for home-based medication during the COVID-19 pandemic period, there remains scarce evidence of hypoxemic infection in home-care settings. In this study, we investigated the clinical features of hypoxemic respiratory failure due to infection during the period under home-based medication (defined as 'home-care-acquired infection'). METHODS: This retrospective observational study enrolled patients with home-care-acquired infection, other than COVID-19, in two home-care clinics in Sapporo, Japan, between April 2020 and May 2021 (the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic). The participants were divided into two groups according to whether they required additional home oxygen therapy, and were compared to assess the predictors of hypoxemic respiratory failure. Furthermore, the clinical features were compared with those in patients aged >60 years with COVID-19 who were admitted to Toyama University Hospital during the same period. RESULTS: A total of 107 patients with home-care-acquired infections were included in the study (median age, 82 years). Twenty-two patients required home oxygen therapy, and 85 did not. Thirty-day mortality rates were 32% and 8%. Among the patients in the hypoxemia group, none had desired a care-setting transition, following the advanced care planning. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that initial antibiotic treatment failure and malignant disease were independently associated with hypoxemic respiratory failure (odds ratio, 7.28 and 7.10; p=0.023 and p<0.005, respectively). In comparison with hypoxemia in the COVID-19 cohort, the lower incidence of febrile co-habitants and earlier onset of hypoxemia were significant in those due to home-care-acquired infection. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that hypoxemia due to home-care-acquired infection was characterized by distinct features, possibly different from those due to COVID-19 in the early pandemic period.

Norwood Operation of a Neonate With Pentalogy of Cantrell.

Surgical correction of Cantrell syndrome is often associated with an extremely high mortality rate due to the possibility of wound infection or the severity of cardiac anomalies. We report a case of Norwood operation and repositioning of the heart successfully performed 1 day after the birth of a neonate with pentalogy of Cantrell. The patient had double-outlet right ventricle, subaortic stenosis, aortic valve stenosis, hypoplastic aortic arch, and coarctation of the aorta. The patient underwent the Glenn operation at the age of 1 year and is now waiting for the Fontan operation.